BBC presenter Andrew Marr suffers a stroke

53–year–old BBC presenter and journalist, Andrew Marr, is in hospital following a stroke. The host of a Sunday political show on the BBC is known to be a fitness fanatic.

Colleagues have spoken of their shock on hearing the news that Andrew Marr has suffered a stroke, reports the Telegraph. With a reputation as a fitness fanatic, the news that he has suffered a stroke has shocked his friends and colleagues.

Marr is recovering in hospital and the signs are good. A BBC statement Tuesday said: "Andrew Marr was taken ill today and taken to hospital. The hospital confirmed he has had a stroke. His doctors say he is responding to treatment."We will continue to broadcast The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start The Week with guest presenters in his absence. His colleagues and the whole BBC wish him a speedy recovery."

The latest news is that Andrew is conscious and able to speak. Both are good signs in the early stages of recovering from a stroke.

As a youngster Andrew was a distance runner. Early in his a career in journalism Andrew admits that he had "a few years of hard drinking and smoking". Exercise is only one way to prevent a stroke. Researchers in 2010 identified ten risk factors that could lead to a stroke. Experts, however, cite high blood pressure as the most common cause of strokes.

In 2011 Marr hit the headlines in the UK when he admitted using a controversial newspaper 'gagging order' after an extra -marital affair. The woman had a baby, which Andrew believed was his. He supported the child financially until, in 2008, it was proven he was not the father. Marr later said he regretted taking out the injunction. He told the Mirror, "I did not come into journalism to go around gagging journalists"